Board and Staff

Denise Cumbee Long
Executive Director
dlong@liveunitedhc.org

Denise joined the UWHC team as Executive Director in April 2015. Prior to her arrival, Denise was the executive director of International House, a nonprofit organization in Charlotte serving immigrants and refugees. She is also the former director of a statewide loan repayment program for public interest attorneys and a domestic violence agency in Louisburg, NC. Denise holds JD and MDiv degrees and has served as interim senior pastor at congregations in Chapel Hill and Elon, NC. She and her husband love LIVING UNITED and being part of a caring community here in Henderson County. 

Robin Morgan
Director of Finance
rmorgan@liveunitedhc.org

Robin has been part of the UWHC team since 2008. Prior to coming to Hendersonville, she worked at Lake Toxaway for 18 years in the resort management field. A native of Transylvania county, she loves living in western North Carolina and enjoys time with her family and friends. 

 Jessica Chipriano
Operations Coordinator
jchipriano@liveunitedhc.org 

Jessica grew up in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where she attended Penn State University for her degree in Human Development & Family Studies and Community Services. She worked for quite some time as a case manager for homeless veterans, and also spent several years as a manager in the hospitality field in both Savannah, GA and the WNC area. She now calls Hendersonville her home, where she lives with her husband Damian, and their precocious little rescue dog, Charley, who runs the household.

Sarah Kowalak
Director of Community Impact
skowalak@liveunitedhc.org

Sarah served as UWHC's Marketing & Communications Coordinator from 2007-2013, and is thrilled to rejoin the staff after two years as the Community Relations Director at The Free Clinics. Originally from Massachusetts (and still a devoted Red Sox fan), Sarah and her family have been in Henderson County for ten years, and love calling the mountains their home. As Director of Community Impact, Sarah is looking forward to collaborating with all of our partners to make real improvements in education, income, and health in our community.

 
Sarah Grymes
Director of Resource Development
sgrymes@liveunitedhc.org

Sarah is a Henderson County native and has spent the last several years working as a Community Banker with Mountain 1st Bank and Trust and Bank of North Carolina. She has been deeply involved in local nonprofit and service agencies that benefit directly and indirectly from United Way's work. Sarah brings a passion for improving the lives of the residents of Henderson County and a sincere appreciation for how United Way impacts our community for the better. 

Katie Allison 
Marketing & Communications Coordinator
kallison@liveunitedhc.org

Katie is a native of Spartanburg, SC and a 2014 graduate of Wingate University where she majored in Communications. She now calls Henderson County home where she lives with her husband Casey. Prior to coming to UWHC, Katie was the Communications Coordinator for a nonprofit in Asheville and also the Executive Meeting Manager for a conference center in Haywood County. As the Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Katie is looking forward to help UWHC spread the word about all the positive change that happens when people pool resources and work together for good.